Therapeutic device



May 23, 1933.

J. S. TORRENCE THERAPEUTIC DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 1950 James5 AYYTHUVEYS May 1933- J. s. TORRENCE THERAPEUTIC DEVICE 2 Sheets-Shet 2Filed July 1, 1930 I /V/Y INVENTOR.

E WS C Y m m z m E T *m A 5 MD MW J Patented May 23, 1933 PATr met:

JAMES S. TORRENCE, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA THERAPEUTIC DEVICEApplication filed Jul 1,

My invention relates to and has for a purpose the provision of atherapeutic device of simple and durable construction, by which diseasesand ailments responsive to 5 osteopathic methods oftreatment, can be.

relieved and cured. 7

It is a further purpose of my invention to provide a therapeutic deviceparticularly adapted although not necessarily, for private use in thehome, and embodying a support on which the patient is adapted to rest,and

a vibratory applicator capable of being adjusted by the patient whileresting on the support, to treat various parts of the body with theutmost ease and dispatch.

I will describe only one form of therapeutic device embodying myinvention, and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a view showing in plan and partly broken away, one form oftherapeutic device embodying my invention.

, v Figure 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view partly broken awayand taken generally on the line 22 of Figure 1 in the direction of thearrows.

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view tak- Y on on the line 33 ofFigure 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4c is a fragmentary view illustrating an operating'memberembodied in the device, and

Figure 5 is a detail view showing in vertical section one of variousapplicators which are adapted to be used with the device.

Referringspecifically to the drawings 'in whichsimilar referencecharacters designate similar parts in each of the several views, myinvention in its present embodiment comprises a table T the top 10 ofwhich is supported in a horizontal elevated position by legs 11, and isprovided with suitable upholstering 12 to form a cushioned support onwhich the person to be treated is adapted to recline. Depending fromthetop 10'and secured to the legs 11, are side and end walls 13 and 14respectively, which coactwith the top in forming an enclosure foramechanism by which an applicator Ais adapted to 1930, Serial No.465,184.

be mounted, vibrated and adjusted in a manner to be presently described.

This mechanism in the present instance comprises an electric motor Msecured to and supported by a carriage C so that the shaft 15 of themotor extends horizontally. The shaft 15 extends into and is journaledin a transmission housing 16 secured to the carriage C by fasteningmembers 17 and having an open side closed by a cover plate 18. Fixed tothe shaft 15 within the housing, is a helical gear 19 constantly meshingwith a second helical gear 20 fixed to a stub shaft 21 journaled in thehousing and cover plate- 18. Pivotally' connected to the gear 20eccentrically of its axis, by a pin 22 is one end of a connecting rod23, the opposite end of which is pivotally connected by a pin 24 to avertically disposed shaft 25 slidably mounted in a sleeve 26 projectingupwardly from the top wall. of the housing 16.

The upper end of the shaft 25 projects. freely through a slot 27extending longitudinally through the top 10 and its upholstering 12; andremovably fitted on the free upper end of the shaft is the applicator Awhich may be constructedof rubber, wood or any other suitable material,and formed indif ferent shapes depending on theparticular portion of thebody to be treated. The applicator shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3 isintended for general use and is in the form, of a flattened knob havingan axial opening in, which the shaft 25 frictionally fits so as todetachably secure the applicator to the shaft.- The applicator A shownin Figure 5 lS'lIltended for use in intestinal treatments and is in theform of a disk 28 havinga domed central portion 29. It will be clearthat with the motor M in operation, the shaft 25 will be rapidlyreciprocated due to the cocentric connection of the rod 23 with the gear20, so that vibratory movement will be imparted to the particularapplicator applied to the shaft. v l

In. the present instance the carria'g'e'G is slidably mounted on, andguidedfor adjustment parallel to the length of the siot27, by theangularside rails 30 of a rectangular frame 31, at the opposite ends of whichare ii journaled, rock shafts 32 and 32 having eccentrically fixedthereto at their opposite ends, disks 33 and 33 which rest upon anglebars 34 secured to the side Walls 13 of the table so as to support thepreviously described mechanism from the table.

J ournaled in bearings 35 in one of the side walls 13 of the table, is arock shaft 36 having fixed thereto, arms 37 and 38, the arm 37 beingconnected by a link 39 to one of the eccentric disks 33, and the arm 38being connected by a link 40 to one of the eccentric disks 33*. Securedto the outer end of the shaft 36 is an operating member in the form of ahand lever 41 by which the shaft can be rocked to partially rotate theeccentric disks 33 and 33 in one direction or the other through themedium of the links 39 and 40, to accordingly raise or lower the frame31, carriage C and hence the applicator A, thereby Varying the height ofthe latter above the top 10 of the table, to suit the requirements ofthe particular part of thebody to be treated.

The lever 41 and hence the disks 33 and 33 are adapted to be latched inany one of several selected positions of adjustment by means of a pawl42 (Figure 4) slidably mounted in the lever and normally urged by aspring 43 into engagement with the teeth of an arcuate ratchet bar 44extending through a slot in the lever 41 and secured by studs 45 to theside wall of the table. The pawl 1s adapted to be manually actuated todisengage the ratchet bar, by means of a button 46 fixed to the one endof a rod 47 extending through the lever 41 and secured to the pawl. Thelocations of the lever 41 and button '46 render them convenientlyaccessible for actuation by the person occupying the table, thusenabling the person while under treatment on the table, to vary theheight of the applicator A as desired.

Rising from the carriage C is a post 48 slidably receiving a sleeve 49formed on one end of an L-shaped arm 50 extending through a slot 51 inthat side wall 13 of the table opposite the one on which the hand lever41 is mounted. The other end of the arm 50 is secured to a tubularhandle bar be clear that corresponding movement will 52 slidably mountedon a rod 53 secured at its ends to brackets 54 fastened to the side wall13 in any suitable manner. By sliding the handle bar 52 along the rod53, it will be imparted to the carriage G, and hence the applicator Alikewise moved along the length of the slot 27 in the table, thuspermitting any portion of the body of a person occupying the table to besubjected to the vibratory action of the applicator. It will also beclear that the post 48 and sleeve 49, While providing an operativeconnection between the carriage C and the arm 50' of the handle bar 52,permit the vertical adjustment of the carriage and hence the applicator,as the post slides freely in the sleeve during such adjustment.Furthermore, the handle bar 52 is conveniently accessible for actuationby the person occupying the table, thus enabling adjustment of theapplicator to any location along the length of the slot 27, and therebypermitting any portion of the persons body throughout its length to besubjected to the vibratory action of the applicator with the utmost easeand dispatch.

I have found in practice that a speed of less than 1000'vibrations perminute and approximately 750 vibrations per minute with about 4 inchstroke of the applicator, is most effective for the relief of neuroticconditions and I consider this feature an important part of myinvention.

Although I have herein shown and described only one form of therapeuticdevice stood that various changes and modifications may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit of the invention and the spirit andscope of the appended claims;

I claim:

1. A therapeutic device comprising a table on which a person is adaptedto recline, having a slot extending lengthwise with respect to the bodyof the person on the table, an applicator, means for mounting theapplicator to project from said slot above the table, means forvibrating the applicator, and manually operable means for adjusting theapplicator along the length of the slot including a slidably mountedhandle bar accessible for manipulation by the person on the table. a 7 f2. A therapeutic device comprising a table mg a slot extendinglengthwise with respect to the body of the person on the table, an ap onthe support, means for mounting the ap-' plicator for vibratorymovementincluding a carriage slidably mounted beneath the table, meansfor moving the carriage to adjust the applicator along the length of theslot, and means for vibrating the applicator including a motor supportedby the carriage. i 1

3. A therapeutic device comprising a table on which a person is adaptedto recline, having a slot extending lengthwise with respect to the bodyof the person on the table, an applicator projecting upwardly from saidslot for engagement with the body of the person on the support, meansfor mounting the applicator for vibratory movement 'including acarriage, means for mounting the on which a person is adapted torecline, hav-- moving the carriage to adjust the applicator along thelength of the slot, means for vibrating the applicator including a motorsupported by the carriage, and means for adjusting the carriage mountingmeans to vary the height of the applicator above the table.

4. A therapeutic device comprising a table on which a person is adaptedto recline, having a slot extending lengthwise with respect to'the bodyof the person on'the table, an applicator projecting upwardly from saidslot for engagement with the body of the person on the support, meansfor mounting the applicator or vibratory movement including a carriage,means for mounting the carriage beneath the table for sliding movementlongitudinally of the slot, means for moving the carriage to adjust theapplicator along the length of the slot, means for vibrating theapplicator including a motor supported by the carriage, and means foradjusting the carriage mounting means to vary the height of theapplicator above the table, the last means comprising eccentricsjournaled on the carriage mounting means and by which the latter issupported, an operating member, and means for rotating the eccentrics inresponse to movement of the operating member.

5. A therapeutic device comprising a table on which a person is adaptedto recline, ha ing a slot extending lengthwise with respect to the bodyof the person on the table, an applicator projecting upwardly from saidslot for engagement with the body of the person on the support, meansfor mounting the applicator for vibratory movement including a carriage,means for mounting the carriage beneath the table for sliding movementlongitudinally of the slot, means for moving the carriage to adjust theapplicator along the length of the slot, means for Vibrating theapplicator including a motor supported by the carriage, and means foradjusting the carriage mounting means to.

vary the height of the applicator above the table, the last meanscomprising eccentrics journaled on the carriage mounting means and bywhich the latter is supported, and means for rotating the eccentricsincluding an operating member accessible for operation by the person onthe table.

JAMES s. ToRRENcn

